Try these healthy foods to increase fat loss and improve your health all the while aiding fat loss!
1. Avocados
Avocado toast is actually a great way to lose weight! Avocados are packed with tons of fiber, a slow-digesting carb that keeps your blood sugar levels stable, which helps fight off cravings. And their healthy monounsaturated fatty acids, or MUFAs, have been shown in animal studies to boost fat loss.
Eat healthy fat, lose fat. Don’t shy away from avocado because of its high calorie count, it will still help you slim down.
Eat healthy fat, lose fat. Don’t shy away from avocado because of its high calorie count, it will still help you slim down.
Start your day with a slice of sprouted grain bread topped with avocado, sriracha and a pinch of coarse sea salt. Or blend avocado with dark chocolate, cacao powder, almond milk and agave for a diet-friendly avocado “pudding.”
2. Lentils
You probably only think of lentils as humble bulk food fare – if you think of them at all – but they’re one of the best, and cheapest, foods to help you slim down. Lentils are one of the few foods that pack in tons of protein and fiber – more than 15 grams of each per serving. That’s great for weight loss, since both protein and fiber boost satiety. Translation: you’ll feel satisfied and full between meals, not so ravenous you’ll be tempted to hit the drive-thru on your way home.
Lentils are filling and packed with protein.
Season a boring lentil pilaf with lemon juice and fresh basil for a burst of bright flavor, season them with Indian spices, or use lentils as a meat extender in your favorite recipes, like burgers, chili and lasagna.
3. Turkey Breast
Skinless chicken breast gets the most attention as a diet staple, but adding skinless turkey breast to your diet is actually better for shedding pounds. It’s higher in protein than chicken breast, at 26 grams per serving compared to 16 grams. That gives you a weight loss advantage, since you burn up to 10 times more calories breaking down protein during digestion than other nutrients.
Remove the skin before eating.
4. Chia Seeds
From ancient Inca superfood, to infomercial staple, to new health food craze, chia seeds have quite the resume. They’re also fantastic for weight loss, thanks to their generous fiber and calcium content. Upping your calcium intake seems to fend off belly fat, and one study found that women who don’t get enough calcium are more likely to pack on extra pounds.
Sprinkle chia over your avocado toast, stir it into oatmeal or smoothies, or use it to make delicious spiced chia pudding.
5. Spinach
Calorie for calorie, you can’t get more nutritious than greens. Each cup of raw spinach offers half the immune-boosting vitamin A you need for the day, all the bone-building vitamin K you need, plus a gram of filling fiber. And best of all, at 7 calories per cup, you can enjoy basically all you can eat to stay full without breaking your diet.
Spinach is packed with essential vitamins and fiber.
Start your lunch and dinner with a heaping spinach salad, slice spinach to add to your scrambled eggs and why not add a few handfuls of spinach to your smoothies.
6. Cucumber
Hello, hydration! Cucumber isn’t just low-cal, it’s also over 95% water by weight. That’s great for weight loss – water-rich foods have a low energy density, so you can eat a big portion without getting too many calories . Not to mention that water helps your liver burn fat and also helps you to stay hydrated keeps your skin glowing.
Cucumber keeps you hydrated, and its low calorie count means you can eat a generous portion without gaining weight.
Cool down in water weather with DIY chilled cucumber soup. Just blend cucumber with your favorite veggies and herbs – try zucchini, tomato, avocado and basil for a Mediterranean-inspired bowl – and add a little almond milk until it reaches the right consistency. Use sliced cucumber instead of taco to enjoy salsa, guacamole or hummus without the guilt! Or infuse it into water with citrus and mint to help manage mild bloating.
